Roller blind mechanism



July 3, 1934. HESSE 1,965,496

ROLLER BLIND MECHANISM Filed March 15, 1932 Y Hesse er. 777W 1%@ Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,965,496 ROLLER BLIND 1\ LEcr`nn\iIsM Charles Joseph Hesse, Foot'scray, Victoria,

Australia Application March L15, 1932, Aserial No. 599.041Y In Australia September 1, 1931 18 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in and connected with roller blind mechanism and the like and refers especially to roller blind mechanism of the type having a blind adapted to be un- 6 wound from a roller against the action of. a spring and which blind is automatically rewound on the roller when retaining mechanism is released.

Roller blind mechanism at present in use, 10 Whilst being generally satisfactory, is subject to several disadvantages which it is an object of the present invention to remove. These disadvantages chieiiy comprise axial freedom or end play of the roller due to the method of mounting it in the supporting brackets, ability to jump out of the brackets when the blind is released and allowed to rewind violently, the transmission of torsional stresses from one end of the roller to the other, and likelihood of the torsion spring binding on the spindle when the blind has a large drop.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a simple and inexpensive construction of roller blind and means for readily adjusting same to a desired length.

The invention briefly comprises a tubular roller adapted to be rotatively mounted on supporting brackets, ratchet and pawl mechanism for retaining the roller in an adjusted position, and

posed longitudinally within the tubular roller, said strip being secured to stationary members and to the roller, whereby, when the roller is rotated by the downwardmovement of a blind '35 fitted thereto, the resilient strip will be twisted.

When the ratchet mechanism is released in the usual way, the untwisting of the resilient strip rotates the roller and rewinds the blind.

In the preferred construction, the tubular -40 roller is rotatively mounted on axle pins which are secured to brackets mounted on the Window frame, said axle pins projecting through' endV plates into the interior of the roller and serving for the attachment of'rthe opposite ends of l a pair of rubber strips which pass through a slot in a member fitted to the roller at thev center of its length. Y Y

It will thus be understood that, with this construction, both ends of the rubber strips are held stationary and that said strips are twisted from the center as the blind is unwound so that the torsional stress is applied tothe center of the roller instead of to one endY thereof, as with roller mechanism constructed in the usual way.

In the preferred construction, the tubular rolla strip of elastic material, such as rubber, dis-Y er is formed of a plurality of adjustable sections whereby the length of the rollermay be varied.

The supporting brackets for the rollers comprise pins having recessed portions adjacent io their outer ends and adapted to engage correspondingly shaped holes in head members formed on the outer ends of the axles. The tension of the rubber strips connected to said axles serves to retain the heads of the axle members in engagement vrwith the supporting pins which may conveniently consist of screws arranged horizontally vertically or in inclined positions.

Having set forth the object and nature of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawing Whereinzt Figure 1 is a perspective View, partly in section, of roller blind mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 isa view in sectional plan of one end of the roller and its supporting means, and is drawn to a larger scale, a portion of the rubber strip beingV shown as being untwisted. Y

.Figure 3 is a view in elevation of` the end of the rollerV shown in Figure 2.

`Figure 4 is a view in sectional end elevation taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

AFigure 5 is a view in sectional elevation of the central portion of the roller.

Figure 6 is a view in sectional end elevation taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are views illustrating a modified axle and supporting screw.

'Figure 10 is a view in perspective of portion of a roller of modified construction.

Figure 11 is a view in sectional end elevation taken in the plane indicated by the lines 11-11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a view in perspective, partly inV section, of alternative abutment means for the rubber strips; and

Figure 13 is a view in sectional elevation of a further modification, which hereinafter is fully` described.

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral 10 designates atubular roller which may be made of strawboard, metal, wood, papiermch, or other suitable material.

This'roller 10` comprises two tubular sections 1l and 12, each of which is approximately half the length of the roller and which are connected by means of a centrally disposed member 16 preferably constructed of wood.

The member l16 is of cylindrical shape and fits neatly within the inner ends of the tubular elements 11 and 112 and an axial hole 13 formed g 17 rewinds the said blind on the roller. j

in one end thereof communicates with a relatively narrow diametrical slot 14 provided at the other end of said member.

The slotted end of the member 16 is secured as by an adhesive in the inner end of the tubular section 12 whilst the tubular section 11 is slidable on the opposite end thereof whereby the length of the roller may be adjusted.

The blind 18 may be secured to the roller in any convenient manner after the length of said roller has been adjusted, the means for securing the blind in position being usually suicient forr retaining the tubular section 11 in its vproper position.

A pair of rubber strips 17 of rectangular cross section are disposed axially within the roller and same pass through the hole 13 and slot 14 of the central member 16 as shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6 of the drawing.

The outer ends of the roller sections 11 and 12 are provided with metal end plates 19 attached as by tacks to adjacent annular Wooden ferrules 10 which reinforce the outer ends ofthe roller sections.

Axial holes formed in the end plates 19 of the roller serve as bearings for rotatively supporting the roller on stationary axles 21, the outer ends of which are mounted on screws 27 constituting supporting brackets and projecting laterally from the frame 28 of a window opening.

The axles 2l are provided with integral heads 22 forming shoulders which are disposed adjacent to the outer faces of the end plates of the roller and the heads are formed with square openings 23 to receive the square outer ends of the supporting screws 27.

The supporting screws 27 are provided near their outer ends with recesses 27 corresponding in width with the thickness of the heads 22 whereby, when the heads 22 on the axes are moved over the outer ends of the screws, said heads are moved axially to engage the recesses in the supporting screws, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The inner ends of the axles 21 are bifurcated as shown at 21 to embrace the ends of the rubber strips 17 and, after the insertion of the latter, the said bifurcations are pressed towards each other to firmly engage and hold said rubber strips in position.

The axle 21 at the left hand end of the roller (Figures 1 and 4) is provided with four equally spaced and longitudinally disposed slots 30 the upper one of which is adapted to be engaged by opposed gravity pawls 31 pivoted to the inner face of the adjacent end plate 19.

It will be apparent that, whenthe blind 18 is unwound, the roller 10 is rotated onits bearings in therusual manner and the angular displacementV of the member 16 tted rigidly to the center of the roller causes the rubber strips 17 to be twisted on each side thereof, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

As previously stated, the ends of the rubber strips are held stationary by reason of their connection to the inner ends of the stationary axles 21.

When the blind has been unwound to a desired extent, it is retained in its adjusted position by means of one of the retaining pawls 31 engaging j the upper slot 30in the axle 21. x v When the pawl 31 is releasedv by an` initial downward movement of the blind 18 and the latter is given a sharp upward usual manner, the untwisting of the rubber strips movement* in theV It will be understood that any desired number' of twists may be initially imparted to the rubber strips 17 when the blind is being mounted in position.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a somewhat modified form of supporting means comprising a screw 27 having flattened portions 28 disposed behind the outer end thereof, said flattened portions being adapted to engage a rectangular portion of the hole 23 in the head 22 of the axle 21 after the outer end of the supporting screw has been inserted through the circular portion 23' of said hole.

It will be understood that, as with the construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the tension of the rubber strips 17 serves to retain the rectangular portions of the hole 23 in engagement With the flattened portions of the supporting screws 27 It will be clear that the supporting means for the roller may be arranged in any convenient position as the screws 27 may be mounted vertically horizontally or in inclined positions without interfering with their proper operation.

Also the roller may be arranged above or below the opening or object to be covered by the blind.

It is assumed of course that, when arranged in inclined positions, a ratchet groove 30 is disposed on the upper portion of an axle 21.

In the modification of the invention shown in Figures 10 and 1l of the drawing, the roller 10 is constructed of three coaxial metal tubes 32, 33. and 34 of equal diameter, the central tube 33 being fitted with a diametrically disposed pin 35 serving as an abutment for the rubber strips 17 which pass on opposite sides thereof.`

The ends of the central section 33 of the roller are formed withlongitudinally disposed slots 36 which permit of suiiicient circumferential contraction to enable said ends to enter the adjacent inner ends of the end sections 32 and 34 of the roller.

One of the edges of each of the slots 36 is provided with a plurality of laterally disposed notches 37 which are arranged close together and which are preferably equal in width t0 said slots 36. Y

The tubular sections 32 and 34 are each formed near their inner ends with an indentation 38 of sufficient size to enter the longitudinal slots 36 and lateral notches 37 in the central section 33 after the manner of a bayonet joint.

It will thus be understood that the overall length of the roller may be adjusted fby moving the indentations along the slots 36 until a desired overall length is obtained and by twisting the sections relatively to cause the indentations 38 to enter the appropriate lateral notches 37 (Figures 10 and 1l). l

The outer surface of the central section 33 of the roller is provided with graduations 39 whereby the diametrical pin 35may be readily arranged in the center of the length of the roller 10.

The rubber strips 17 which are preferably of rectangular cross-section bear against opposite sides of the diametrically disposed pin 35 located at the center of the roller.

Retaining pawl and ratchet provided as above set forth.

In Figure 1 2 the roller 10` consisting of inner and outer tubular sections is provided centrally with a transverse partition 46 having a pair of slots 47 through which the rubber strips 17 are passed.

mechanism is also In the modification shown in Figure..13 `ofthe drawing, the roller 10 is not provided. with a central abutment for the rubber strips 17. which, in this construction, are connected at one end to the adjacent fixed axle 21 and at the other end to the opposite end. of the roller.-

For this purpose the ends of the rubber strips are fitted with eyelets valigning with holes provided in the xed axle 21 and in lugs 40 at the other end of the roller and split pins 41 are passed through said holes.Y

With this construction, the' torsional stress is imparted to one end. of the roller 10 as in the usual types of roller blinds.

In lieu of using two rubber strips 17, it will be clear that one, or that more than two, may be employed; also that the said rubber strips may be of circular or' other suitable shape in cross section.v

I claim:-t

1. In roller blind mechanism, a rotatively mounted roller, a strip of resilient material disposed completely within the roller, said strip being connected to a stationary member and having a portion thereof engaging` said roller whereby, when the roller is rotated in one direction, the resilient strip is twisted and imparts to said roller a tendency to rotate in the opposite direction. y

2. A blind roller assembly comprising, a tubular roller having a, central passage and a bearing opening at each end of the tubular roller and communicating with the central passage therein, an axle rotatively mounted in each of said bearing openings and having its inner end projecting into said central passage and its outer end adapted to be mounted in a supporting member, a resilient member disposed longitudinally within the central passage of the roller and having its ends connected within the roller to the inner ends of the respective axles, and means rigidly connected to an intermediate portion of the roller and arranged to engage the adjacent portion of the resilient member.

3. In roller blind mechanism, a tubular roller, comprising two coaxially arranged sections, end plates fitted to the roller, axial holes in the end plates, stationary axles projecting through said holes to rotatively support the roller, a member arranged within the roller at the center of its length and serving to connect the coaxially arranged sections thereof, said member being provided with a diametrical slot, and a pair of rubber strips disposed within the roller and havving their opposite ends connected to the said axles, said rubber strips passing through the slot in the said central member.

4. A blind roller assembly according to claim 2 wherein the resilient strip is of rectangular shape in cross section and the longer side thereof bears against the member rigidly connected to the interiorV of the roller.

5. A blind roller assembly according to claim 2, wherein the inner ends of the axles are bifurcated and the adjacent ends of the rubber strips are clamped therebetween.

6. Roller blind mechanism according to claim 3 wherein the member disposed at the center of the roller comprises a cylinder having an axial hole at one end communicating with a diametrically disposed slot formed in the other end of said cylinder.

'7. In roller blind mechanism according to claim 2, supporting brackets the outer ends of which are adapted to be inserted through openings in the outer ends of the'v axles, saidbrackets and axles having intertting portions which are maintained in engagement by the tension of the rubber strip connected to the axles.

A8. In roller blind mechanism according claim 2, supporting brackets comprising laterally disposed pins, square outer ends on the pins, heads on the outer ends of the axles having transverse square holes to accommodate the outer ends of the square supporting pins, said pins having recesses on their faces remote from the roller and the adjacent portions of the axle heads being maintained in engagement with the recesses by the tension of the rubber strip.

9. In roller blind mechanism according to claim 2, supporting brackets comprising laterally disposed pins of circular cross section, heads on the outer ends of the axles provided with transverse holes to permit of the insertion therethrough of the heads of the pins and with transverse slots disposed adjacent the outer ends of the axle heads and communicating with said holes therein, said supporting pins having flattened portions adjacent to the outer ends thereof, said flattened portions being normally maintained in engagement with the transverse slots in the axle heads by the tension of the rubber strip connected to the axles.

10. A blind roller assembly according to claim 2, wherein the tubular roller comprises three coaxially disposed sections adjustably secured together, the central section being provided with the means adapted to prevent relative angular movement of the adjacent portion of the rubber strip.

11. A blind roller assembly according to claim 2 wherein the roller consists of three coaxially disposed sections connected by bayonet joints.

12. In a blind roller assembly Laccording to claim 2, a tubular roller consisting of three coaxially arranged sections of equal diameter, the central section having a longitudinally disposed slot at each end and a plurality of laterally disposed notches at one side of each of the longitudinally disposed slots, and an inward projection near the inner end vof each of the end sections of the roller and adapted to be accommodated in the adjacent longitudinally disposed slots and laterally disposed notches of the central member.

13. In roller blind mechanism according to claim 3, ferrules tted within the outer ends of the sections of the rollers and serving for the attachment of the end plates.

14. In blind roller mechanism, a tubular roller, end members on the roller, means rotatively supporting the roller, a strip of rubber disposed longitudinally within the roller and connected at one end to the adjacent supporting means and at the other end to the opposite end of said roller.

15. In blind roller mechanism, a tubular roller, bearings at the ends of the roller, axles rotatively mounted in the said bearings and projecting into the roller, a strip of resilient material connected to the inner ends of the axles within the roller and a member iitted to an intermediate portion ofthe roller and adapted to bear against the resilient strip whereby, when the roller is rotated in one direction, the resilient strip is twisted and imparts to said roller a tendency to rotate in the opposite direction.

16. In blind roller mechanism, a roller, an axial passage in the roller, a bearing opening in at least one end of the roller and communicating with the axial passage, an axle projecting into the adjacent ends of the said roller the tension imparted?` to said axles by the resilient member connected to the inner ends thereof.

18. In blind roller mechanism, a roller having an axial passage in one end thereof, an axle rotatively mounted in that end of the roller provided With the axial passage and having its inner end projecting into said passage, and a strip of rubber disposed longitudinally within the passage and connected at one end to the inner end of said axle and at its opposite end to the roller.l

- CHARLES JOSEPH HESSE. 

